we replaced Debuchy with a better all-round player

Attack-minded Debuchy, signed from Lille in the summer of 2013, had been a success in his 18 months on Tyneside.

But he wanted to move on to play in Europe – and Janmaat was identified as a like-for-like replacement.

While Carver, then assistant to departed manager Alan Pardew, was sad to see Debuchy leave, he feels Janmaat is a “better all-round player.”

“He’s been great around the place,” said Carver.

“He’s such a character – he’s larger than life and he’s quite funny – but he’s a good professional.

“When we lost Debuchy, that was harsh, but we replaced him with a better all-round player.”

Janmaat will play at centre-half against Arsenal with captain Fabricio Coloccini suspended following his red card against Everton last weekend and Steven Taylor and Paul Dummett injured.

The Holland international had never played in the position before his switch to the centre at Goodison Park after Coloccini’s dismissal.

But Carver is confident Janmaat can quickly adjust.

“He’s going to play as a centre-back,” added Carver. “I think he’s a great professional, and he will deal with it.

“He understands the game. He is a full international. It’s another string to his bow. I think he’ll cope with it.”

Ironically, Debuchy was forced to play in central defence against Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium in December, when Arsenal won 4-1.

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Advocaat believes his Sunderland bow today will provide the insight he needs into stewarding the Black Cats over the season’s finale.

But his main message to the squad this week has been to stress that they are Premier League players for a reason and he wants to see them enjoy far more of the ball than has been the case over recent games.

“Today’s game will give me the tools that I need for the following eight games,” he added.

“I have told the players to show that they are good players, and why they are playing for Sunderland.

“That’s important.

“But you can’t do that on your own, you have to do it as a team.

“I haven’t noticed a problem with confidence in training this week.

“They have worked hard and worked well.

“As a coach, I like to control the game. I like to have the ball.

“But the majority of the games I have seen for Sunderland, the opponents have had the ball.